Sharad Kelkar in highway car crash

How it happened

"This was some time around 8 am, on Wednesday morning when I was on my way to work," says Sharad.

"There is a petrol pump on the highway, towards Andheri (East), where the accident happened. I was at the signal and my car was the first vehicle in line. As soon as it turned green, I started moving ahead. There was a BEST bus on my left, so I was making sure I drove straight.

All of a sudden, out of nowhere, a taxi appeared in front, and I immediately applied the brakes. But by the time my car could halt, the taxi had already rammed into the front."

Sharad says he didn't want to get into an argument, as the taxi driver was old and the accident had stalled traffic at the junction. "The taxi also suffered some damage, but I didn't want to create a scene — I had already wasted 20 minutes, and was late for my shoot."

Repairs can wait

How did his wife and Sinndoor co-star, Kirti, react to the news? "She was definitely shocked, but glad to know I wasn't hurt. I was wearing a seatbelt, so I had just a minor injury on my knee."

Sharad won't be able to take his car to the garage for a few days. "I am doing two shows now, so need to keep travelling. Kirti has her own car; I cannot give up mine for the time being."

Aristocratic mien

The actor will enter another Zee show, Saath Phere, on November 21. "The role is of a character named Nahar Singh. He's a rich guy and into sports, his favourite being fencing. I took up this role because it's totally different from what I am doing in Sinndoor. My look is aristocratic, and I am wearing earrings as well."

tushar.joshi@mid-day.com